Double Takes

Christine Fellows

We met in the emergency ward
Getting our stomachs pumped
Suffered the indignities two curtains apart
Overhead the cop who brought you in say
"Next time, son, you might not be so lucky"
And I laughed out loud

You counted all the times you crashed your car
I showed you the scars on my arms
We stuttered and stopped right there
'Til I got a brilliant idea
And kicked my legs right out from under me
Trying to kick up my heels

And you laughed and said
"You tried so hard"
The first time we said goodnight
I could hardly speak let alone sleep
Took a deep breath, let it out and then
Looked straight at you and said
"I don't think life just happens to you
More likely in spite of you
It's a marvelous thing"